Push-button



' (No Mbde1.)

T. G. PRENYEAR.

, PUSH BUTTON.

N0.'317,450. Patented May 5, 1885.

, UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS GYPRIAN FRENYEAR, OF BOSTON, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO LLOYD E. RAZEE, OF ATTLEBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS.

PUSH-BUTTON.

SPECIZEICATIONfoIming part of Letters Patent No. 317,450, dated May 5, 1885.

Application filed August 29, 1884. .(Xo model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, TuoMAs G. FRENYEAR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Push-Buttons, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electric push-buttons, and has for its object to improve the construction of such buttons and the means for applying them to various positions, and to secure them in such a manner that they will not project and be in the way, but so that their location may be easily found day or night; and to these ends my invention consists in a pushbutton and appliances constructed and arranged as herein described. I

Heretofore it has been common to inclose or surround the button with a collar or case, by which means the button is attached to the desk, wall, or other desired position. Sometimes recesses or mortises have been made for the reception of the case and button, so that the button would not project beyond the general surface of the article to which it is attached. These arrangements are objection able for the reason that they project so as to be in the Way and unsightly, or the desk or wall has to be cut away to a considerable extent for the reception of the case, and then the location of the button is often difficult to find, especially in the dark. By my construction these objections are overcome, and at the same time a'very cheap, simple, and elfective pushbutton is produced.

In carrying out my invention a plate, preferably of metal, is provided with openings for the reception of the desired number of buttons, one or more, as the case'may be, and

proper is made of such size and configuration as to fit the holes in the plates snugly, and a thin projecting flange or rim extends around the front edge, which fits over the edges of the holes in the glass or other plate, and serves to hold the same firmly in position by the friction between the edges of the holes in the metal plate and the outside of the case. The button itself may be made of any suitable material, and is made to fit snugly in the case, with its outer surface preferably flush with the rim of the case. Suitable springs may be used to support the button out of contact with the electrodes in the usual manner. The surface of the brass plate is covered with some substance that contrasts in color or appear ance with the surrounding material, and enables its location to easily be determined day or night, and I have found certain compounds that have the property of being luminous by night, such as those containing phosphorus, or whatis known as luminous paint, are well adapted for that purpose. The exterior glass plate serves to protect these surfaces from injury, and, if desired, the edges of the two plates may be united by some suitable sealing material that will exclude the elements that tend to the destruction of such surfaces. The back side of the glass plate may be covered with the contrasting color or paint instead of the brass plate, and the same results accomplished. The body of the button or buttons is made of some material that contrasts well with the color of the plates, so that their exactlocation may be the more easily seen.

Such buttons and securing-plates are easily and cheaply made, require very little mortising or recessin g for their reception, are prac tically even with the surrounding surface, and are readily distinguished both day and night.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification. Figure l is a planview of a plate having two pushbuttons. Fig. 2 is a similar View of the interior plate, and Fig. 3 is a perspecive view of one form of button and case.

The metal or other plate A has the holes or openings B B for the reception of the button-cases G, and is provided with means for securing it to the desk or wall, as screws on. Its surface, in whole or in part, is covered by some suitable substance that renders it disiinctive and luminous by day and night. The plate D, preferably transparent, the rear side of which may be coated instead of the front side of the brass plate, has an unbroken surface except at the openings for the reception of the button-cases G, the flanges c of which fit closely upon the edges of the openings. The push plugs or buttons E fit closely in the cases 0, and are normally flush with their outer edges. The plate A having been properly secured to the desired article, and the holes for the reception of the wires and cases 0 having been made, the plate D is placed in position and the cases passed through the openings and forced or pressed into the bearings in the metal plate, securely holding the outer plate in position without other fastenings.

It is evident that the button-cases may be screwed into the plate, or otherwise more securely fastened; but I have found that they may be held by friction alone and be safe and reliable.

The button itself may be rendered distinctive or luminous, if desired; but by rendering the surrounding plate so, the contrast between the plate and button makes its precise loca-' tion more easily detected.

1 have shown a rectangular plate having round holes; but it is evident that any suitable or desired shape may be used, as convenience or taste dictates.

Without limiting myself to the precise details of construction, what I claim is 1. The combination, with a flat metal plate adapted to be secured to the wall or desk, of an exterior distinctive plate and a push-buttoncase passing through holes in the plates and securing them together, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a perforated metal plate adapted to be secured to the Wall or desk, of perforated exterior plate and a pushbutton case having an exterior projecting THOMAS GYPRIAN FREEYEAR.

Witnesses SrMoN W. HATHEVVAY, WM. H. HATHEWAY. 

